Characteristics of drinking behavior of high school students in Beijing and its influencing factors

Objective To describe the drinking behavior of high school students in Beijing,and explore possible preventive interventions.Methods The study was conducted between April and May in 2014.An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among 15 726 high school students who were selected by stratified cluster sampling method from 18 districts of Beijing.Results Of students surveyed,67.9% of them reported ever-using alcohol,35.2% reported drinking before 13 years of age.During the past 30 days,41.0% students reported consuming at least one alcoholic drink and 16.6% reported at least one episode of binge drinking.The main reason for drinking alcohol was to be with their families or peers.Boys were more likely to drink alcohol than girls.Key high school students were less likely to drink alcohol.Students who had other health related risk behaviors were more likely to have alcohol drinking related behaviors,i.e.students who smoked were more likely to drink alcohol during the past 30 days (OR=4.41,OR95%CI=3.90-4.98),who had fighting behavior were more likely to have binge drink(OR =2.00,95%CI=1.77-2.26),who had sexual intercourse were more likely to drink before 13 years of age(OR=1.58,95%CI=1.36-1.84),and who had suicidal behavior were more likely to have binge drink(OR=1.67,95%CI=1.27-2.19).Conclusion Age,family,sex and health related risk behaviors such as smoking,fighting and sexual intercourse etc.should be considered in preventing drinking related be-haviors among high school students.The comprehensive health education of drinking behavior should be implemented early and actively in families and schools.